For Immediate Release
Contact: Amy Day
Tel: 515.271.0344 (o)
515.612.0775 (m)
aday@desmoinesartcenter.org
Des Moines, Iowa (June 25, 2025) The Art Center is pleased to return Greenwood Pond to public use under the management of the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department following the removal of Mary Miss’s installation Greenwood Pond: Double Site, which was located on a small parcel of land in Des Moines’ city-owned Greenwood Park.
Following a settlement agreement in January 2025, work began in February and will be completed later this week as crews remove the protective fencing surrounding the perimeter of the work area. The entirety of Greenwood Park, including the extensive bike and hiking trails and the pond, is now accessible to the public.
Water levels of Greenwood Pond have returned to previous levels through a combination of creek water and rainfall. As part of the rehabilitation process, the Art Center has re-seeded the grass in the impacted areas, restored gravel pathways, and reinforced the shoreline on the northwest side of the pond. The existing trees, grasses, and native plantings were preserved and maintained with as much care as possible in coordination with the City of Des Moines. Memorial benches installed by Des Moines Parks and Recreation remain in place.
All costs associated with the deinstallation and rehabilitation were borne by the Art Center; no taxpayer or public funds were used for the project.
The City has addressed long-term plans for Greenwood Park in the following statement: “The City of Des Moines is committed to working alongside the community, neighborhood associations, and key stakeholders to explore future possibilities for Greenwood Park. This process will incorporate public input to ensure that future improvements reflect the needs and vision of our residents. Any potential improvements will rely on private and grant funding due to budget constraints. As we move forward, Des Moines Parks and Recreation remains dedicated to our mission of helping Des Moines live well, play hard, and protect the earth.”
About the Des Moines Art Center
The Des Moines Art Center is a vibrant, AAM-accredited (American Association of Museums) institution located in the capital city of Iowa that welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually from across the country and around the globe. Its historic campus consists of three buildings designed by major architects of the 20th century—Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier—incorporated into the natural landscape of Greenwood Park. The Art Center is home to one of the strongest collections of 20th and 21st century art in the region, and it hosts a series of ground-breaking exhibitions and lectures each year featuring artists known regionally, nationally, and internationally. The experimental art for which the Art Center cares is reflected in its creative offerings, including a celebrated education program that prioritizes access and collaboration, an art school with studio classes for all ages, and the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, situated on 4.4 acres in downtown Des Moines. The Art Center is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are incorporated into every facet of its mission and identity.
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